****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I’ve been a Europe fan since I walked into a record store that sold used cassettes (!) in 1986 and heard “The Final Countdown,” from the album of the same name. I quickly devoured their back catalogue, including the self-titled debut album (1983) and the follow-up Wings of Tomorrow (1984). “The Final Countdown” would make it all the way to # 8 in the US and their follow-up, “Carrie,” would do even better, going to #3 in 1987.Fame did not last for Europe, however. Their next album, Out of This World (1988) would yield only one hit single, “Superstitious,” which climbed to #31 in the US. The band attempted to follow-up in 1990 with the never-released Seventh Sign, which was rejected by their label (Epic). Europe ultimately released Prisoners in Paradise in 1991, however, the album failed to make an impression commercially or critically. Tracks from the doomed Seventh Sign would trickle out on various releases over the next 10 years, but many remain unreleased. Europe was dropped by Epic following the release of Prisoners.Although they would never regain the success of the 1980s, Europe would return in 2003 with Start from the Dark. The album revealed a rejuvenated, heavier, guitar-laced, bluesy sound which has formed the template for all Europe albums since, including: Secret Society (2006), Last Look at Eden (2009), Bag of Bones (2012), and War of Kings (2015).War of Kings is the band’s 10th album and their first with the UDR label. The title track reveals a heavier sound than has been present since, perhaps, Secret Society. Joey Tempest’s voice remains as clear, strong, and immediately recognizable as it did in 1983. My favorite track is, arguably, “Praise You,” which starts with a crunchy metal sound before transitioning into a bluesy swagger and then yet again into a ballad. It’s just a fantastic tune all around, one of the band’s best certainly. Another favorite is the straightforward ballad “Angels (With Broken Hearts). If you’re a fan of classic Europe ballads like “Carrie,” “Dreamer,” or “Open Your Heart,” you will enjoy this one.There really isn’t a dud on this disc and I’d say it is one of Europe’s strongest album. In fact, it may be their best, though it’s tough to overcome the nostalgia of being 16 years old and hearing “The Final Countdown” for the first time.
